It’s a beautiful April; the sun is starting to shine, the weather’s warming up, and the NHL playoffs begin. Pretty normal, right? Not at all. For the first time in ten seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs did not make the NHL playoffs, the longest streak in the NHL.
Seeing arch-rivals such as the Montreal Canadiens, the Ottawa Senators, and the Boston Bruins pains Leaf Nation. This season couldn’t have gone any worse for the Leafs. After pushing the Florida Panthers to a Game 7 last year, fast forward a season, and the Leafs finished 28th in the NHL, in the bottom five. To say anyone could’ve predicted this, they would be lying.
Although they need some lottery luck to keep their first-round pick, the season may not have gone to waste. But still, a season to forget, and there could be some big shake-ups in the 6ix with how we saw the locker room clean out. Here are some bold predictions for the offseason.
Berube remains head coach
With how this season has gone, a lot of blame has been put on head coach Craig Berube. Berube, in his first season, led the team to its first Atlantic Division title with a record of 52–26–4. Fast forward to this year: their record was far worse, with only 32 wins and 50 losses, including 14 in overtime.
The blame has definitely circled the head coach and former Stanley Cup champion, but there’s a sense that he stays. In the media on locker room clean-out day, Berube was asked if he sees himself as the head coach next season, to which he quickly and calmly responded, “Yes.”
With the now-former general manager, Brad Treliving, being relieved of his duties, this could look similar to the situation with the now-Pittsburgh Penguins general manager, Kyle Dubas, when he was fired. When Treliving came in after Dubas was let go, after a poor effort against the Bruins, former coach Sheldon Keefe was on the hot seat. But Brad gave him a chance next season. With Berube’s history and the respect he has in this league, there’s no doubt Berube will get another chance.
Matthews or Nylander gets traded
The Maple Leafs’ “Matthews era” has not seen as much success, as two playoff series wins in 10 years isn’t something to brag about. For the most part, the “core” guys have been a part of it all: Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and now former Leaf Mitch Marner.
Some people may blame the poor season on not having Marner, but it could just be a culture issue among the players. They can’t play hard; the lights are too bright; they can’t get the job done, and Matthews hasn’t been able to do that. The end-of-season press conference didn’t make Leafs fans feel better, as when asked about his future, the captain was very vague with his answer, saying “I can’t predict the future.”
That should be concerning for Leafs fans, hearing their leader say this at the end of a horrible season. The Leafs should look at the Quinn Hughes situation and trade Matthews. A star in this league who they should trade before he walks for nothing in free agency. Matthews can fetch a great return, and there will be teams calling for the Leafs forward if he is made available. Although he has a full no-movement clause, there may be interest in a mutual parting of ways.
Leafs get McKenna
This could be a long shot, but there is a chance the Toronto Maple Leafs get the first overall pick for the first time since 2016, when they selected Matthews. With the odds of them losing their first-round pick being favoured, a scenario could play out where the Leafs end up with the first overall pick.
The hockey gods would have to play a part in this, but this would spark the organization and the fanbase after last season’s catastrophe. Projected first-overall pick Gavin McKenna is a clear favourite to be number one in the draft, which the Leafs cannot pass up if the opportunity comes.
McKenna would add to an already elite offensive team playing alongside Matthews, Nylander, Tavares, Matthew Knies, and young up-and-comer Easton Cowan. The top-six would be lethal; making the playoffs would be a cakewalk if McKenna were to join the Maple Leafs. It would take a miracle, but anything is possible in the draft lottery.
What will the future hold?
Anything could happen this offseason, but one thing is certain: change isn’t just coming, it’s necessary. Whether it’s behind the bench, in the front office, or within the core itself, the Maple Leafs are at a crossroads.
For nearly a decade, this group has promised more than it has delivered. Now, after a season that completely unravelled, the organization no longer has the luxury of patience. This offseason won’t just shape next year; it will define the next era of Leafs hockey.
One Comment